Well?

The question has been asked...well, are you in yet? Well, what does it look like now?

Well, it is amazing how the planning of the tiny puzzle pieces come together on the table to really make a picture. Pieces that we bought, collected, had in our individual homes, inherited, all come together in this one house....and without hesitation I can say, it is amazing how it is all working together so well.

So, from one extreme to the other, the house is finally taking shape. And, the vision I alone had a mere 8 months ago, is available for everyone to see now!

Mirror, Mirror

I always wondered how you do framed mirrors ...you know, which comes first, the mirror or the frame? Well, this little chickie now knows...the frame.

The REAL Work Begins!

The construction is just about complete. A piece here, a bolt there, but basically, we are done...or, should I say THEY are done. Now, my real job begins...merging Chicago with Columbus into one big happy abode. I will be glad when the transition is complete....which might take as long as the building process did!

Lessons Learned

#1. When you have a tall spouse go ahead and add a few inches to the island. I feared I'd be like a little kid trying to reach the counter. It is amazing how just a few inches from the normal 38" or so, gives the island depth and makes it a major work station. Of course, that means I will actually have no excuse NOT to work and create something fabulous, but it is the ultimate work space I always wanted.

#2. Listen to the salesman. Sometimes they actually do understand the product. We looked at several stove vents and ended up with Vent-a-Hood because our salesman talked about the easy clean-up. While that sounds like another sales tool, we were happy to hear from our installer that this was the easiest piece of equipment he'd ever seen. I, of course, selected it because it has fabulous light, looks classy and I knew the name. Bill, on the other hand, selected it because of the cleaning and few-parts-to-break factor. But, when you have guys who install these things every single day marveling at how easy it was, how efficient it is, you feel like a genius. A genius with a great salesman!